Just use the IRS2Go phone apps or go to IRS website. Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can start checking on the status of your tax return within 24 hours after IRS has received your e-filed return or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return.

To use Where's My Refund? have your tax return handy so you can provide your social security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

Where's My Refund? has a new look! The tool includes a tracker that displays a progress bar through 3 stages:

1. Return Received
2. Return Approved and
3. Refund Sent

Where's My Refund? will provide an actual personalized refund date as soon as the IRS processes your tax return and approves your refund. So in a change from previous filing seasons, taxpayers won't get an estimated refund date right away. Updates to refund status are made once a day - usually at night.

Where's My Refund? includes information for the most recent return filed in the current year and does not include information about amended returns.

Don't count on getting your refund by a certain date to make major purchases or pay other financial obligations. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days, it's possible that your tax return may require additional review and take longer.

Simple steps to file an accurate tax return and get your refund fast.

1. Using e-file is the best way to file an accurate tax return, and combining e-file with direct deposit is the fastest way for you to get your refund.
2. Take these simple steps to ensure your tax return is processed as quickly as possible.
   • file electronically
   • submit an accurate, error-free return
   • verify the correct social security number or taxpayer indentification number for yourself, your spouse and your dependents
   • verify you have used the correct mailing address
   • use the correct bank information such as routing number and bank account, if you choose direct deposit.
3. The IRS works hard to issue refunds as quickly as possible, but some tax returns take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return:
   • includes errors
   • incomplete
   • needs further review
   • impacted by identity theft or fraud
   • includes Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation, which could take up to 14 weeks to process.